Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones
In Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones, the player journeys from a doomed Arkham into the depths of the Abyss. Create your own character based on 1920's archetypes and carve a path through a broken and mysterious world. Your desperate battle against forces beyond comprehension will haunt you until the end. Physical combat will be challenging, spellcasting will have dire consequences, and your sanity will be strained to the breaking point by unknown abominations. Sometimes the best solution will be to flee what lurks beyond the threshold. A hand drawn 2D world reflecting Lovecraft's themes of cosmic horror and dread. Enemies, environments and storylines inspired by Lovecraft’s iconic original works. Take part in quests inspired by your favorite stories and see them play out according to your own decisions and role-playing style. Choose from 8 main character Archetypes, each with its own origin backstory and specialties.
Game Discussion
Steam User 10
I'm going to get a lot of hate for this, but I Really liked this game Everything about it was amazing except maybe the quick ending, though its good enough if there was a sequel coming out. It's just sad it's never going to get a sequel. I like this lovecraftian game more than a lot of others.
Steam User 7
This is not going to be a popular review. I really liked the game, despite the rage it gets. The game is graphically beautiful without needing to be too demanding. It has great soundtrack, ambiance, really effective at creating an atmosphere we would expect from a game set in a Lovecratian-like universe. It has some reaplayability value two with it's many character types and achievements to get, although it will get tiring once you know the story already. I loved the mechanics, the side characters, etc. The only real big thing to complain is that the game was never finished, its not even a matter of an open ending. It's straight "waiting eternally for the next chapter" kind of unfinished. Meanwhile, the devs already started working on a new, first-person game, set in the same universe that is currently on early access. It looks as promissing as it's predecessor, however not worth buying in early access as it will probably end up being an unfinished game for a spicy price as the other.
Steam User 5
This game is not a hidden gem, but it could've been- I enjoyed the game, it has its problems, and probably isn't worth full price, but I wish I could find another game just like this but... more. It's so close. So close.
It does also end abruptly, which is unfortunate, but I can still hope for more.
Long story short; I enjoyed it despite its flaws and don't regret giving the devs my money. If it's on sale definitely check it out, if not- I don't know.
Steam User 3
By no means perfect. Combat, especially at the end, can be a drag. Some bugs are still there. But the atmosphere is great, the art is beautiful and the rpg system is well implemented and fun, outside of combat.
7/10 game, well worth it for fans of the source material and/or the Call of Cthulhu pen & paper game.
Steam User 4
Such a great way to experience a Lovecraftian horror game. I found it a bit hard to get into at first but once I found my stride I really enjoyed the story and art style. Combat is can be a real pain in the ass at times but that's really my only complaint. 8/10 would recommend
Steam User 4
Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones is a standout for anyone craving a true Lovecraftian role-playing experience. From the moment you enter its deeply customizable character creator, the game excels at pulling you into its world; your choices genuinely shape how you interact with the horrors around you. The depth of its RP mechanics makes you feel less like you’re playing a character and more like you are the investigator, slowly unraveling alongside the narrative.
The game’s commitment to Lovecraftian authenticity is exceptional. Its atmosphere, writing, and themes capture cosmic dread in a way few games manage, and it confidently stands beside classics like Fallout and Fallout 2 in terms of old-school RPG depth, choice, and consequence.
That said, it isn’t without flaws. Combat can be buggy at times, and the late game takes a strange, occasionally frustrating turn. After you “learn the Duchess’s spell,” you’ll know exactly what I mean. The pacing and structure shift in ways that can feel disorienting. But if you push through that stretch, the game regains its footing and delivers a strong, memorable conclusion.
Overall, Stygian is a deeply immersive experience with well-written and memorable characters. An atmospheric RPG that rewards patience and roleplaying investment, well worth experiencing for fans of classic CRPGs and cosmic horror alike.
The game’s most compelling mechanic may be how it slowly drives the protagonist toward madness as a genuine RPG system, blending narrative and gameplay into one creeping descent. You may find yourself thinking, “If I am mad, it is mercy! May the gods pity the man who in his callousness can remain sane to the hideous end!” - H. P. Lovecraft
Steam User 3
Stygian is a neat setup and style, even if it leans too far into horror for my own tastes. The execution maybe isn't all there and I'm told that the game ends with no conclusion because they ran out of money and just stopped making more, so only go into if if you're really intrigued by the concept and you catch it on sale for $4.